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Florida Trades For Shirokov

Analysis: Shirokov had signed with CSKA Moscow of the KHL previously, so it's tough to tell whether Florida will reap anything from this. He has a better chance to play for Florida than he did Vancouver, for what that might be worth to Shirokov.

Shirokov Headed To KHL

News: Shirokov has left the Canucks organization to play for CSKA Moscow of the KHL, the Vancouver Sun reports.

Analysis: Shirokov showed some promise in his two seasons on this side of the pond, totaling 103 points (44 G, 59 A) in 152 games with Manitoba of the AHL, but he was never able to stick at the NHL level. At 25, he's still young enough to make a return to the NHL in the future, but for now he'll play in Russia.

Canucks Extend Qualifying Offer To Shirokov

News: The Canucks extended a qualifying offer to Shirokov earlier this week, the Vancouver Sun reports.

Analysis: The Canucks will now have the right to match any offers Shirokov receives during free agency. The 25-year-old Russian forward spent the majority of the 2010-11 season with Manitoba of the AHL, but he did manage to play in two games with Vancouver. He had 58 points (22 G, 36 A) in 76 games with the Moose, so there's some talent here, but Shirokov will have to prove he's ready to make the jump to the big pond in camp to warrant much fantasy consideration next season.

Canucks Send Shirokov Back To Manitoba Of The AHL

News: The Canucks sent Shirokov to Manitoba of the AHL on Sunday, the Vancouver Province reports.

Analysis: Shirokov lit the lamp in his first game up with Vancouver, but he quickly found himself on the outside of Canucks coach Alain Vigneault's skating rotation. The 25-year-old Russian has shown promise in the past, but he'll need to prove he can stick with the Canucks for a longer period before holding value in non-keeper leagues.

Canucks' Shirokov Set For Press Box Duty

News: Shirokov will be a healthy scratch for Saturday's tilt against the Flames, the Vancouver Province reports.

Analysis: There was plenty of buzz around Shirokov when he notched a goal in his season debut Tuesday, but he appears to have already fallen out of favor with Canucks coach Alain Vigneault. Mason Raymond will replace the young Russian on the Canucks' second line.

Shirokov Expected To Skate On Canucks' Second Line

News: Shirokov is expected to skate on the Canucks' second line in Tuesday's game against the Avalanche, the Vancouver Sun reports.

Analysis: With Jeff Tambellini slumping, Vancouver is looking to spark its offense. Shirokov teased fantasy owners with an outstanding preseason in 2009, but he wasn't able to translate that success to regular season production at the NHL level. He has shown improvements with Manitoba of the AHL this season and might finally be ready to contribute for the Canucks. Shallower formats can play wait-and-see, but deeper leagues should consider Shirokov a decent speculative add at this point of the season.

Canucks Recall Shirokov

News: The Canucks recalled Shirokov from AHL Manitoba on Monday, according to Manitoba's official Twitter page.

Analysis: Shirokov scored 15 points over his last 12 AHL games, so he could provide an even further boost to a hot Canucks team. Shirokov will join the Canucks' fourth line off the bat, but he could be worth a speculative add in deeper leagues with his scoring touch.

Canucks' Shirokov Held Out of Practice for Poor Conditioning

News: Shirokov was held out of practice Monday because his conditioning was not at an acceptable level, the Vancouver Province reports.

Analysis: The Russian winger spent time with Canucks fitness coach Roger Takahashi and skills coach Glenn Carnegie instead of practicing with the rest of the team. Shirokov is coming off a poor performance in his first preseason game and will need to start showing improvements if he hopes to nab a roster spot.

Canucks' Shirokov Battles for Roster Spot.

News: For the second consecutive season, Shirokov will battle for a roster spot in training camp, the Vancouver Province reports.

Analysis: Shirokov was the darling of training camp for the Canucks last fall, leading the team in scoring and nabbing a spot on the opening night roster. After failing to notch a point in his first three games, he was quickly demoted to Manitoba of the AHL, where he spent the majority of the 2009-10 campaign. The 24-year-old Russian appears to be behind prospects Jordan Schroeder, Cody Hodgson and others for one of the last roster spots, but he remains a sleeper after showing a knack for scoring last preseason.

Shirokov in AHL doghouse

News: The Winnipeg Free Press reports that Canucks prospect RW Sergei Shirokov is in Manitoba Moose coach Scott Arniel's doghouse. "Changes have to be made," said Arniel, who pulled Shirokov from the top line recently. "Sergei has to work harder. Hes got to work harder when hes away from the puck, hes got to work harder when he goes into the corners to battle for pucks."

Analysis: Shirokov was up with the Canucks earlier this season, but had zero points and a minus-4 in six games. He has 34 points in 48 AHL games and remains a long-term keeper option, but who knows if he will be up in Vancouver for the 2010-11 season.

Bliznak up, Shirokov down for Canucks

Analysis: Shirokov really struggled in his six games this season, putting up no points and a minus-4 rating. He remains more of a long-term keeper option than anything. Bliznak has never played in an NHL game and had just 16 points in 64 AHL games last season. He has no Fantasy value at this time.

Analysis: Shirokov was a standout in Canucks' training camp and earned his way into the top-six rotation to begin the season. But when he struggled in his first few games, Vancouver sent the 23-year-old forward to the minors. He totaled four goals and 10 points in 10 games with Manitoba, earning his recall Sunday. It's now up to Shirokov to prove himself. Consider him more of a long-term Fantasy keeper until he hits his breakout run.

Canucks send Shirokov down to AHL

News: The Canucks have assigned Russian rookie RW Sergei Shirokov to the AHL.

Analysis: Shirokov had a solid preseason, but was a healthy scratch in Vancouver's most recent couple of games and clearly isn't ready for the rigors of the NHL just yet. Stash him away in deeper formats for the time being as he could certainly return and make an impact later this season.

Shirokov exceeds Canucks expectations

News:The Sports Xchange reports RW Sergei Shirokov not only cracked the Canucks' opening-season roster as a rookie, the skilled 23-year-old Russian made his NHL debut on the second line with Ryan Kesler and Mikael Samuelsson and on the first power play unit with Daniel and Henrik Sedin on Thursday against the Flames. Shirokov was blanked in his first regular-season game but led the Canucks with two goals and seven points in just preseason games, making the team despite missing a week with a minor knee injury. "You can see a very confident, highly skilled young man that is real close to the NHL," coach Alain Vigneault said of Shirokov just before the roster was set.

Analysis: The Canucks knew Shirokov was good but warned him last summer that leaving his native Kontinental Hockey League (Russia) and a tax-free $500,000 salary as his team's leading scorer (41 points in 56 games) likely meant starting his NHL career in the minor leagues. He forced them to change their minds. "I'm happy to play with this team and make NHL," Shirokov said in improving English. "I'm happy with Vancouver jersey, with these guys. It's good." It seems Shirokov will stay with the Canucks as long as he is productive. Consider him a Fantasy sleeper to begin the season. Logging top-six time on a contender could become valuable for Fantasy owners.